You can probably count on both hands the number of times MMA has
been on the front of any major media site/newspaper or mentioned on any
mainstream news outlet. And yet, it's been on the front of Yahoo a
couple of times within the past two days. But sadly, not for the right
reasons.
Yes, UFC
100 included Georges St Pierre defending his title (again) and Dan
Henderson showcasing that the 38 year old is still on fire by knocking
Mike Bisping out cold, that's not what is making the news. While the biggest weekend for the UFC met many milestones such as the first UFC Fan Expo, fastest sell out for a major UFC event, and UFC 100 it's been overshadowed by one specific incident.
Instead we have to continue to hear about the UFC being a 'circus'. Not exactly the adjective I was hoping would be used as a way of describing this last weekend.
I
get so frustrated because I see these guys first hand train their butts
off. Multiple times a day for hours at a time. Following strict diets,
and mastering not just one sport but MANY. They don't all act like
such a fool. In fact that's the exception. The fighters I know
personally are some of these most considerate and kind people I've ever
met. Sure there are a few knuckleheads out there but aren't some of
your own friends knuckleheads? Brock Lesnar is beyond a knucklehead.
With Frank Mir's face looking like tenderized meat, he walked away the
winner in my opinion. Brock didn't use many moves to gain position. He
didn't change his guard or control but rather used his size and sort of
laid on Mir to hold him down as he punched his face. Sure, it's legal,
sure it worked. But when it was said and done and Brock walked away
with the "win" Frank gave some undeserved respect to Brock and said
semi nice things about him. He out-classed Brock ten fold. As if that
was hard to do.
Brock's behavior after beating Frank was disheartening. At first I was
disgusted. Then mad. Disappointed. And now I think I'm mad again.
Seeing the words "Lesnar's circus antics" on the front page of Yahoo
two days later, makes me feel as if his poor choices have set the sport back a few
steps in the eyes of people that don't understand the sport. It's not a
joke or a circus. It's nothing like WWE, with the exception of Brock Lesnar (aka Nacho Libre
). I've 'talked' to many of you who have told me I'm too harsh on
Brock, but I don't think I am. He can apologize but I don't think he's
sorry. He's only sorry that Dana White tore him a new ass hole.
Remember his behavior after his fight against Heath Herring? Yeah, not
classy. And here we are again. History repeating itself. He can
apologize but when sponsors start leaving because of the crap he pulled
on Saturday hopefully people will see he really isn't more than a 300
lbs WWE guy. What will it take for people to see what a joke he really is? A mask? A folding chair in the cage perhaps?
As
someone that spends A LOT of time educating people on the sport, this
makes me mad. He's NOT good for the sport. He's a big guy that wrestled
and I'm guessing his size was only a benefit even then. I doubt his
success was due to his skills. And even if his skills were as good as
his college record, I can't see past his personality so it doesn't even
matter.
And it also annoys me that everyone is so amped to see him face Fedor. Hello is this thing on... there are plenty of people left in the UFC he hasn't yet fought. I think Shane Carwin or even Cain Velasquez could put him in his place. Both are undefeated and in my opinion more than capable of taking Brock.
For
those of you that are going to comment or email me saying I'm a bitch,
I accept it. Feel free. But just remember, this behavior only means one
thing: less overall acceptance as a sport = less advertising money +
fewer fans and that means fewer events/fights.
